8,000 Cat Figures Reenact The Battle of Gettysburg At This Unusual Pennsylvania Museum
By Kim Falchek|Published May 08, 2024
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Kim Falchek
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Kim Falchek has been exploring the towns, trails, and hidden gems of Massachusetts since her college days in Boston. When not writing, Kim enjoys photography, going on road trips, and spending time at the beach. Kim has previously been a contributing writer for LA Family Travel, Global Munchkins, and Latched Mama. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts where she and her family embrace all things Halloween!
You already know that Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is known for its rich American history. Interesting landmarks, monuments, and markers are scattered throughout the quaint, little town. And of course, there is the historic battlefield that has been declared a National Military Park. Gettysburg also has its fair share of museums, including some you may not expect. On a recent trip to the area, my family and I visited the Civil War Tails at the Homestead Diorama Museum, and I have to tell you, this was one of the most unique museums I have ever encountered!
I’ve seen lots of dioramas in my travels, but nothing quite like the exhibits at this museum. While most battle recreations are depicted using models of people, the battles at the Homestead Diorama Museum use models of cats!
That's right, the displays depict cat soldiers (more than 8,000 of them) to recreate the Battle of Gettysburg and other significant Civil War events.
The Civil War Tails (note the play on words) recreation was one of my family’s first stops on our trip to town. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by one of the museum's owners and her friendly dog, Joanie
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The owner was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions about the displays. She told us that she and her twin sister have been creating the figures for the past 28 years. She said that their love of felines drove them to use models of cats instead of people.
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The museum was small but definitely worth the visit. The depictions of the battles are detailed and historically accurate. The sisters built the dioramas to scale with a one-to-one ratio, offering a unique 3-D view of what the historic battles actually looked like.
We spent quite a while looking at the various displays. We saw cats fighting on horseback, cats shooting smoking cannons, and cats carrying wounded kitty soldiers on stretchers. There were also feline figures of famous generals and other notable soldiers. The displays additionally contained information about the battles and instructions on how to create some of the details in the exhibits.
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It was evident that Rebecca and Ruth had an abundant knowledge of American history and poured their hearts and souls into the museum.
One of our favorite dioramas is the museum's newest recreation. The Little Round Top display was a long labor of love that was completed earlier this year. The diorama, which is 11 feet long, depicts a significant battle in the war.
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Other dioramas recreated significant Civil War events outside of Gettysburg. There was a fascinating display of Fort Sumter and a depiction of the Battle between the Ironclads.
Not only was our visit to the Civil War Tails at the Homestead Diorama Museum a unique stop on our trip, but it was also an informative start to our Gettysburg visit. It allowed us to learn about the war and the battle in a fun and unique way. I especially appreciated my newfound knowledge
when we stepped foot on the battlefield the following day.
While you are in Gettysburg, I suggest visiting the Sachs Covered Bridge and dining at the Dobbin House Tavern, the oldest restaurant in the town. We really enjoyed the food and drinks here.
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